Wire-stretcher.



I. N. GAGE.

WIRE STRETCHER.

APPUCATION mm mm 29, 1916.

Patentegjuly 31, 1917.

INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY ISAAC N. GAGE, OF WESTBORO, MISSOURI.

WIRE-STRETCHEIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

Application filed. June 29, 1916. Serial No. 106,695.

To all whom it may concern Be it lmown that I, ISAAC N. GAGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Westboro, in the county of Atchison and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wire stretching devices, and aims primarily to generally improve and render more efficient and practical devices of this character.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wire stretching apparatus which is of simple and inexpensive construction, which is composed of but few readily assembled parts, all so constructed and arranged as to prevent wear, breakage, or dismemberment of the same, which is of light weight, which is capable of being readily applied to a post or other suitable base, which is easy of operation, and which will prove thoroughly efficient in the attainment of the ends for which it is designed.

With these objects in view, together with others, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of a wire stretching apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and showing a practical application of the same;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 4; indicates, generally, the wire stretching device, the supporting portion for the same having a base 5 of box-like construction, and from opposite sides of which project outwardly extending parallel arms 6. The bottom of the base portion 5 may be rounded as shown to enable the same to conform to the shape of a pole or post to which it may be desired to attach the fence wire or strands.

The stretching mechanism includes a shaft 7 journaled between the arms 6 and projecting at its extremity beyond the said opposite arms. The shaft extremities are equipped with spools or drums 8, the purpose of which will be further detailed. Fixed to the intermediate portion of the shaft 7 is a relatively large gear wheel 9, and a pawl or dog 10 is pivoted to one of the arm members and rests at its free end in the teeth of the gear wheel to limit the same normally to movement in one direction only. Collars 11 may be secured to the shaft 7 adjacent the inner faces of the arms 6 to maintain the shaft in proper position.

Fixed at its extremities to the opposite arms 6 and adjacent the free ends of the latter is an axle 12, the latter being preferably longitudinally alined with the shaft 7 Rotatably mounted upon this axle, intermediate the ends of the same is a pinion 13, the latter being intermeshed with the gear 9. Secured to one end face of the pinion 13 is a disk of a trifle greater diameter than the pinion 13, to which is secured a ratchet disk 15. This latter disk is of slightly greater diameter than the disk 14:.

As a means for rotating the pinion 13 through the ratchet disk 15, a lever 16 is pro vided. This lever is rotatably mounted upon the axle 12 beyond the spacing collar 17, and carries at its innermost end, a keeper finger 18 for loose engagement over the annular edge of the ratchet disk 15. The lever is also equipped with a guide 19, the latter loosely engaging over the edge of the adj acent ratchet disk, and housing a pawl 20. This pawl may be weighted if desired or may be provided with a spring for normally maintaining the same engaged with the teeth of the ratchet disk 15. The lever 16 is of relatively short length and is provided with a pair of spaced longitudinally disposed brackets 21 through which a handle 22 may be inserted to afford the leverage necessary to rotate the ratchet wheel. A collar 23 is arranged upon the axle 12 to hold the pinion and lever in proper position, the said lever being held against the collar 17. From this construction, it is apparent that reciprocatory movement delivered to the lever 16 will impart rotary movement to the gear 9 through the pinion 13. Reverse movement of the gear 9 will be arrested by the pawl or dog 10, the lever 16 may, through its pawl arrangement, be readily moved in such mangerkas to effect a new grip upon the ratchet The above described stretching device is adapted particularly for use in tightening or stretching mesh wire fences and to enable the fence fabric to be stretched without distorting the same or subjecting anyparticular strand of the fabric to excessive stretching, a pair of bars 2d are provided. One of these bars is arranged upon each side of the fence fabric and are each of a length equal to the width of the fence fabric. Bolts 25 connect the bars. and bind the fence end firmly between the same. A clevis or loop 26 is arranged intermediate the ends of the bars, connecting the latter and to which one end of a cable, wire r rope 2% is attached; the opposite end of the cable or wire being affixed to one of the drums 8. A second strand of this character connects the clevis 26 with the opposite drum or spool 8, whereby pulling power is evenly distributed to the cable and the fence is drawn or stretched in proper alinement with the post upon which the device is engaged. By reason of the curvature of the bottom of the base partion 5 of the device, the same readily conforms to the shape of the posts, and the stretching operation firmly binds the device upon the said posts. It is apparent from this dis closure that the delivery of a relatively small amount of rotary movement to the pinion 13 will impart a more powerful rotary movement to the drum shaft 7, and the fence fabric connected to the cables will be drawn tight preparatory to being secured to the fence posts. The device, by reason of its simple construction, may be manufactured at relatively small expense, and the simplicity of the same and its lack of complicated mechanism will enable the device to be easily and expeditiously employed.

While the above is a disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that minor changes in the formation and arrangement of the various parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claim.

What is claimed is In a device of the class described, a base, a pair of arms projecting from said base in spaced parallel relation, a winding shaft rotatably mounted in said arms, a gear on said shaft, an axle rotatably mounted in said arms and being spaced from said shaft, a pinion loosely mounted on said axle, an annular shoulder at one end of said pinion bearing against one end of said gear, the teeth of said gear and pinion being intermeshed, collars loosely inclosing said axle and being interposed between the arms of said base and the ends of said pinion, a ratchet disk beyond the shouldered end of said pinion and being formed with the latter, a lever rotatably mounted at one end on said shaft, a guide and keeper formed integral with said lever and engaging said ratchet disk at diametrically opposite points, and a pawl on said lever engaged with said teeth, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ISAAC N. GAGE. lVitnesses FRED WALDRON,

J. W. PECK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

